title: Atrial fibrillation: pharmacological therapy.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. Although once considered a nuisance arrhythmia, recent clinical trial evidence suggests that the presence of AF is an important independent predictor of mortality and morbidity. The primary goals of AF treatment are relief of symptoms and prevention of stroke. The value of anticoagulation with warfarin has been proven unequivocally. Control of ventricular rate with atrioventricular nodal blocking agents-the so-called rate control strategy-is least cumbersome and sometimes the best approach. By contrast, efforts to restore and maintain sinus rhythm using antiarrhythmic drugs-the rhythm control approach-although tedious, may be ideal in patients who are young or highly symptomatic and in those with new-onset AF. The relative merits of both treatment strategies are discussed in this article, emphasizing the excellent clinical trial data that support each.
authors.forename: Chinmay
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salahuddin
authors.forename: Andria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Aashay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Gan-Xin
authors.initials: GX
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Kowey
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000187:drug effects; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants